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Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo - Near Mint

Superb condition. Will be supplied serviced, guaranteed and sounding superb.

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Many of our Roland echoes sell on pre-order. Some are listed here, but if you don’t see what you need get in touch now.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Near mint condition. Will be supplied serviced, guaranteed and sounding excellent.

We’re tape and disc echo specialists with many years’ experience working with and restoring these machines. Our BBC-trained engineer brings our tape delays up to (or better than) factory spec and our testing ensures machines that have superb reliability and – most important – that they sound incredible. Guaranteed to give reliable service and sound superb.

We’ve serviced and supplied machines for many top artists and bands including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arctic Monkeys and Sunn O))).

Description

NOTE: This echo is awaiting service and will ship within 15 working days of purchase.

The 501 was the pinnacle of Roland’s tape echo tech – high fidelity with fantastic chorus and sound on sound – read more about the different Roland models here. Sounding as good as they get and working very well following a full service by our tape echo specialist with various new parts as required, including new tape. Set up to factory spec but tweaked for self-oscillation (Roland removed it from this model).


Heads in excellent condition showing low wear.

REPLACEMENT TAPES: Limited stocks of our replacement loops are available nowFitting any tapes other than those from us or Echo Fix will invalidate the warranty on our machines. We have sourced unused and dry-stored tape stock which is as close to original RT-1L tape formulation as possible (without conclusive confirmation from Roland themselves we cannot describe it as being an exact match). We’ve written a bit about our journeys in tape, which replacement loops to use in your Roland echo, not to mention the misinformation and poor quality tapes that seem to fill the internet. We may also have a very limited supply of sealed original NOS RT1-L tapes – see our store or get in touch.

There are currently no operational issues with this machine, but please be aware that these units require looking after and that regular use and maintenance are key to keeping this in good working order.

Some crackle is always possible from pots/switches when not used for a while – this can be cleared with use.

Condition

In near mint cosmetic condition with only the most minor signs of wear or age to the face. The tolex is clean with some minor scuffs. Internally, this unit is excellent with minimal oxidation to the chromed surfaces or metal areas. Please see photos or get in touch if you require more information on condition.

Voltage Information

Will be set up for either 120 or 240v operation before shipping (originally a 100v machine).

Tax

For sales in UK/EU the price will include 20% VAT. If you have an EU VAT number (outside the UK) you can enter it at check out to have VAT removed.

Video Demos

Demos of previous units sold.

View this post on Instagram

Deep contemplations with the early/pre-production RE-501. This is just the wet signal. It needed some tweaks to bring it up to the same spec as a “normal” 501, but now it sounds pretty great. More info on this curious find below. Available now. . This RE-501 appears to be an early pre-production unit as there are a significant number of differences between this machine and others that we have seen. These differences were both cosmetic and down to the level of small components - where needed we have replaced parts to bring it up to spec and the sound is fantastic. However it remains an interesting example for sure. Below are a few features that support our suspicions: ▫️The serial number is S000003, which is incredibly low, but also includes the "S" at the beginning which is unusual. ▫️The head-covering plate is not chromed but made of stainless steel. It is also a different shape compared to other RE-501s. ▫️The printing on the face is slightly different e.g. ON in Sound On Sound is larger. ▫️The power supply for this unit was an older version - we have switched it for the more stable one used in later units. ▫️This unit was missing components found in later units - these have been added to this one. ▫️Most of the op-amps are different to the later machines. ▫️The compression/expander circuit is different. Capacitor values used across the whole of the PCB are different. . #Roland #myroland #re501 #pedalsandeffects #geartalk #vintagegear #raregear #synthstagram #synth #synthesizer #electronicmusic #soundgas #supersonicgear

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MORE INFO

Roland Space and Chorus Echoes are amazing machines and the RE-501 is the high-fidelity pinnacle of Roland’s tape echo design prowess.

Visit our in-depth Roland tape echo information pages now for everything you need to know about these machines.

DIG DEEPER...

Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo – Near Mint

Events

Gear History

When Soundgas met Roland

The story of how we sold Space Echoes to Roland, our trip to London to bring the vintage gear noise to the Boss exhibition launch and...

PUBLISHED: 12th Sep 2017

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Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo – Near Mint

Artist Feature

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USEFUL RESOURCES

Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo – Near Mint

Gear Info

Which is the Best Tape to Use in a Roland Echo?

All tape is not equal. Many (most?) tapes available online do not perform well in Roland echoes... Based on our experience working on hundreds of tape echoes and trying many tapes, this is the answer to the question: Which is the best tape loop for my Roland (or Korg!) tape echo?

Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo – Near Mint

Gear Info

Our Service

Video

Are Roland Tape Echoes Reliable?

(Spoiler: Yes, but...) We often get asked if Roland Space and Chorus Echoes are reliable: a perfectly reasonable question, given that they're 30 to 40 (or more) years old.

Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo – Near Mint

Gear Info

Korg Stage Echo or Roland Space Echo?

This page follows on from our introduction to Korg Stage Echoes and also our Roland echo pages. It will help you decide between which Roland or Korg tape delay model will be best for you.

Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo – Near Mint

Manuals

Roland Tape Echo Operator's Manuals

Links below for manuals for all models of Roland tape echo available to use and download.

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Eric Cullen

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Brett R

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Matthew Herbert

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Stephen Voinea

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David Wrench

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Justin Meldal-Johnsen

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Matt Morton

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Ben Van Vlissingen

As good as it gets. Tony, Dec and team have been incredible, prompt communication, great advice and outstanding service. It really felt like my Polysix came from a loving home.

Ben Parm

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Thomas Tedesco

I have been buying vintage stuff for a long time from resellers/stores/techs. I've never been so surprised and pleased after opening! Just received a Roland RE-201 and VX55 mixer, they look and sound amazing! Thanks to Tony/Declan for the service and the Soundgas team will be back!

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Tucker Martine - Flora Recording

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James DLR - Sofa Sound/Metalheadz

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Lincoln Barrett / High Contrast

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Hallam Kite

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Colleen / Cécile Schott

Grabbed a Roland RE-201 (early edition killer pre-amp) and Roland DC-50. Absolutely STUNNING. These guys truly live up to the hype. They are meticulous in caring for the gear. Also, I have a few guitar pedal and plug-in emulations of tape-echo sounds and after plugging in the real unit I can't tell you how insane the difference is. It is incredible. Especially that tone from the early pre-amp! I am totally amazed. I am in heaven :) They made it safely to Nashville from the UK and were packed really really well! Thank you so much!! Worth every penny.

Chance Allen

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Tom Gossin

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Tom Rowlands - Chemical Brothers

Just wanted to say thank you so much for your pinch roller and echo tape. I've had a space echo for years, been sent to a shop in NYC and it never worked quite right. After installing the roller and tape, my echo works like a dream. Really incredible expertise you all have! Thank you.

Andrew Potter

"Yes, sure, you can find a Space Echo on eBay, but you won’t find one like this — that’s certain. I am so pleased with my decision to buy from Soundgas, and suggest you stop your search now and just send them a message. You will undoubtedly find yourself writing an ecstatic review about yours in short time."

Ben Evolo

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